Clinical Research Experts

Our experts have practical experience of working within the clinical trials environment, either as a CRA or within Data Management before moving into people development. We have many years' experience of delivering solutions that improve the skillset of clinical research staff internationally.

Meet our team... 

Tracy Fells

"Tracy possesses a wealth of experience in supporting clinical trial programmes, particularly the data management component.  This has developed from a wide exposure to UK, European and US programmes for a huge variety of clients while working in several clinical research organisations.  Her key value is the balanced approach she has always practiced in balancing project goals, financial management and, most importantly, team and individual development."

Dr Alan Hogg - Director, Informatics Coordination Unit
National Cancer Research Institute, London, UK 

Tracy has more than twenty years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, fifteen years in the clinical data management sector of clinical development and research. For the last eight years Tracy has headed up departments ranging from 60 to 120 individuals and led global teams based in the US and Europe. Her particular strengths are in team creation and building having set up new teams in several organisations, most recently growing a complete team from 5 to over 30 in less than 18 months for a new office in Romania.

Much of Tracy's experience is in people and team management with emphasis on coaching, mentoring and development of individuals. Tracy is also experienced in Project Management including financial management and control and has an extensive background in the recruitment of people at many levels within an organisation. She always practices a holistic approach to Project Management and encourages others to embrace this ideal.

Tracy has a degree in Pure Zoology. She has been on the Board of Directors for the ACDM (Association for Clinical Data Management) joining in 2007 and was the Co-Chair for this organisation during 2009. Working with individuals and teams to achieve their potential or guiding them to seek successful solutions are key factors contributing to Tracy's own personal fulfilment. Her other passions in life include writing (both fiction and non-fiction) and running.

 Julie Hughes

"Julie's skills as an educator of postgraduate students were unsurpassed, and were verified by the students' high achievements. She also used her clinical knowledge and experience to develop and support the students and their research activities. Similarly, her ability to relate empathically and professionally at all times to students, peers and service staff was a key characteristic of Julie's persona."

Patricia Foster - Principal Lecturer and International Operations Manager,
Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University

Julie worked in the NHS for 26 years across clinical care, learning and development, and service improvement. She has worked in both operational and strategic roles across acute and primary care settings, higher education, professional bodies and a Strategic Health Authority (SHA).

In the SHA Julie was responsible for analysing the learning and development needs of local healthcare providers and supporting implementation of appropriate learning strategies and appraisal systems, suitable for large scale organisations with a diverse workforce. She was also involved with supporting programmes for building capacity and capability for a proposed re-structure across the sector.

Recently Julie has provided consultancy services in the commercial sector. This has included delivering bespoke training programmes to diverse learner groups and holding the role of Associate Editor of a work based learning journal for the healthcare sector. She also has contributed materials to reference books and has delivered conference papers nationally and internationally.

Susy Laws

Susy is a clinical research professional with 15 years of varied experience in pharmaceutical and clinical research organisations across data management, clinical operations, project management and quality management; and a deep knowledge of operational issues and challenges within the drug development process.

Susy has a passion for process analysis and reengineering to improve the productivity and efficiency of the clinical trial process. She also designs and develops highly engaging training programs, is experienced in leading and motivating teams to produce high quality deliverables; and in establishing high quality resources in off-shore locations.

Some of Susy’s recent assignments include acting as business lead for the development of a new operational model for Clinical Operations and Data Management to optimise the use of electronic data capture systems and efficient delivery of clinical trials; designing, developing and delivering a training program to support reengineered Clinical Operations roles; designing and delivering training in data management concepts for pharmaceutical physicians; GCP regulatory inspection preparation and conduct.

Susy has a BSc Hons from Leeds University and is an active member of the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR), Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) and Association for Clinical Data Management (ACDM).

Martin Robinson

"Martin provided excellend support in consulting with us to set up and deliver a portfolio of courses for our clinical operations personnel across Europe.  He took personal responsibility to make sure our needs were met in a friendly yet professional manner.  I rate Martin highly as a person who gets results and I was pleased to see a consistent return on our investment."  

Jutta Crombie - Merck KGaA

Most of Martin’s career has been in the pharmaceutical and clinical research sector and he has also worked in medical diagnostics and fine chemical production. He has first hand experience of clinical trial project management and has been involved in the set up of new clinical research business ventures. Martin has worked with a wide variety of clients in Europe, USA, India and Australia; including pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies and non-commercial organisations.

Some of Martin's previous projects include setting up and managing a new business venture for a European periapproval clinical group; project managing one of the first ever SAMM studies in the UK; writing project management competencies; training and supporting the development of coaches; providing career advice to university students; and developing induction programmes.

Martin has written publications on project management; writing skills; careers in clinical research; and co-authored a book on risk management.

Martin has a PhD in Enzymology of Micro-Organisms and is a Member of the Institute of Clinical Research (MICR). In his free time he is an active volunteer in nature and butterfly conservation. He is a published author of short stories and was also short-listed to be Britain’s first astronaut on the Juno mission - a joint venture with the former Soviet Union.

Fiona Wallace

"I have attended many of Fiona's training courses for CRAs; including "Clinical Monitoring" and "Lead CRA Workshop" and in my opinion she is one of the best clinical trainers I have encountered.  Her experience as a CRA, Lead CRA and Project Manager is a distinct advantage and she often uses humour, visual images and practical examples from her own experience."

Sergiy - Senior CRA, CRO in Ukraine

Fiona has 8 year's clinical research experience, working in a variety of roles including: Clinical Research Associate, Project Manager, Line Manager and Senior Clinical Trainer. Her experience of clinical operations enabled her to develop effective clinical training programmes across Europe & India for operational staff such as Clinical Trials Administrators, Clinical Research Associates, Lead/Senior CRAs and Project Managers.

Fiona's past achievements include development and delivery of a global training programme for Lead CRAs using a blended learning approach of web-based modules and workshops. This format was then applied to a global training programme for Clinical Trial Administrators. Fiona is experienced in leading Inspection Readiness training programmes and Regulatory & Good Clinical Practice Workshops. Her aim is to make these areas more ‘learner-friendly’ so that delegates can apply legislation to practical situations. She also enjoys working with clients to tailor training programmes to meet their objectives.

Fiona has a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from Sheffield Hallam University and is a member of the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR).

"Julie's skills as an educator of postgraduate students were unsurpassed, and were verified by the students' high achievements. She also used her clinical knowledge and experience to develop and support the students and their research activities. Similarly, her ability to relate empathically and professionally at all times to students, peers and service staff was a key characteristic of Julie's persona."

Patricia Foster - Principal Lecturer and International Operations Manager,
Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Sheffield Hallam University

Martin is a Director of Dovetail and has over 15 year’s international experience in training and organisational development. He joined Dovetail from the Institute of Clinical Research where he managed the Institute’s programme of training courses.

Martin’s skills include Project Management coaching and training, helping organisations identify and meet the learning needs of their staff, and facilitating process improvement.